May 7, 2006, 6:49 p.m. (Message 45188)
Here is the description from Michael Gwynnes 1953 edition of Old Time and Sequence Dancing. I also have a description from Victor Silvesters 1950 book Sequence Dancing, but it is much longer. James Finnegan, who also wrote what is now known as the Military Two-Step, named his Marine Four Step after the Marine Gardens Ballroom in Portobello Edinburgh, where he was the MC. It was also a tribute to the Royal Marines and therefore martial music is the most appropriate to use when dancing it. Marine Four-Step James Finnigan Time 2/4 Tempo 56 - 16 Bar Sequence Commencing position similar to the Veleta. Count Man Bars 1, 2, 3 Barn Dance Forward LF RF LF 2 4 RF forward to 4th pos point with temps levé on LF 1, 2, 3 Barn Dance Against LOD back RF LF RF 4 4 LF forward to 4th pos point with temps levé on RF 1 and 2 Pas de Basque outward LF RF LF 5 3 and 4 Pas de Basque inwards RF LF RF (similar to Boston Two-Step) 6 1 and 2 Waltz outwards, LF RF LF 7 3 and 4 Waltz outwards, RF LF RF (similar to Latchford Scottische but finished facing diag to wall down line of dance taking double hold 8 1 LF to side along LOD (line of dance) 2 Cross RF over LF (forward along LOD) 9 3 LF to side along LOD 4 Point RF forward down LOD 10 1 RF back against LOD 2 LF back against LOD 11 3 RF back against LOD 4 Close LF to RF without weight, assume waltz hold 12 Waltz right turns commencing rotary turn. Finish on last bar opening to commencing position in similar manner to Veleta 13-16 The Barn Dance can be danced with a Gavotte step closing to 3rd pos and omitting the Temps levé. Ladys steps are normal opposite
May 7, 2006, 8:41 p.m. (Message 45189, in reply to message 45188)
Thank you very much. That is most helpful. I wasn't able to find a reference to this on Dance Data regarding which book I could buy. This dance is on our St. Andrew's Day program in Calgary. Cheers, Vicki